The Colorado Daily

Senior quarterback Cody Hawkins had a career best passer rating last weekend against Iowa State (201.02), and was duly rewarded for his 16-for-24, 266 yard, three touchdown effort in being named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. “That is awesome, that is so awesome. He deserved it,” said interim head coach Brian Cabral. “He went through more than anybody would ever know…No one can appreciate the adversity and the emotions; no one could understand what he went through, and how he handled it was unbelievable.”

Hawkins already owns most of the career passing records, including pass attempts, touchdowns and interceptions. He needs 332 yards in the final two games of the regular season to catch Joel Klatt for the all-time pass yardage lead.

With the honor, Hawkins becomes just the second Buff to be so honored in 2010, joining linebacker B.J. Beatty, who was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his five tackle effort against Georgia which included a forced fumble with 1:55 remaining, preserving a tenuous 29-27 lead.

Terdema Ussery leaving the team?

It is being widely reported that redshirt freshman safety Terdema Ussery is leaving the team. Ussery, from Dallas, was recruited as a wide receiver in 2009, part of the infusion of wide receiver talent that included junior college transfer Andre Simmons, Jarrod Darden and Will Jefferson. Ussery was excused from spring practice earlier this year, and was moved to safety this fall. Ussery suited up for one game (a home game against Texas Tech) but did not see any playing time.

Of the four receivers recruited in the Class of 2009, only Jefferson has caught a pass in 2010. Jefferson, who like Paul Richardson this year, was a summer signing, and has now been moved to running back (after the season-ending ankle injury to Brian Lockridge).

Kansas State kick returner out for the season

William Powell, who leads the nation in kickoff returns, will not be on the field against Colorado this Saturday. Powell, who was averaging 34.57 yards per kick return, and who had a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown against Baylor, is out for the remainder of the season. Powell scored on an eight-yard touchdown late in the game against Texas but was apparently injured on the play and did not suit up for last weekend’s game against Missouri,

Powell was also the backup running back behind Daniel Thomas. Powell had 23 carries for 250 yards (over ten yards per carry) and four touchdowns in 2010.

Colorado Injury Update

No new major injuries were reported after the Iowa State game. Two players who coaches thought might be available to play against the Cyclones, though, remain out of action. Redshirt freshman defensive back Paul Vigo, who suffered a fracture in his leg in the Hawai’i game, remains day-to-day, as does senior wide receiver Travon Patterson, who sprained his ankle in the Oklahoma game and has not played since.